The Echoes of Growth in Tavush: How the Agrocenter Reshaped Farming in Berd

For generations, this rhythm has remained unaltered, guided by experience, instinct, and hard work.

That rhythm remains unchanged at its core. But today, innovation is growing alongside tradition.

At the heart of this transformation is the Agrocenter, established by the Tavush Foundation. What began as a local initiative has become a catalyst for change, helping farmers access knowledge, modern agricultural practices, and new opportunities.

A response shaped by real needs

In 2023, the Tavush Foundation established the Agrocenter in the Berd community with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the European Union-funded “Local Empowerment of Actors for Development (LEAD) in Lori and Tavush Regions” project, implemented jointly with UNDP.

The Agrocenter was not created as a ready-made solution. Instead, it emerged from a deep understanding of the realities faced by local farmers and communities. Its purpose was not only to introduce modern agricultural tools and techniques, but also to reimagine how agriculture could better serve the people whose livelihoods depend on it.  “We didn’t start with technology,” recalls Lusik Aghababyan, Executive Director of the Tavush Charitable Foundation and the Agrocenter. “We started by understanding the community, its challenges, its potential, and its resources.” This people-centred approach became the cornerstone of the Agrocenter’s work, ensuring that every initiative was rooted in local needs and built on the community’s own potential for growth.

The challenges facing farmers in Berd were complex and deeply entrenched. Fragmented landholdings, aging and unreliable irrigation systems, and persistent labour shortages - driven in part by youth migration in search of work - made farming an increasingly difficult livelihood. Even in years of strong harvests, rising production costs eroded profits, leaving many families struggling to translate hard work into sustainable income.

Designed in direct response to the realities faced by local farmers, it offered more than technical assistance, it provided a pathway to change. By promoting efficient, innovative agricultural practices and encouraging new approaches to farming, the Agrocenter has helped lay the foundation for a more resilient and forward-looking agricultural sector in Berd. At the same time, it has contributed to something equally important: fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation within the community, empowering farmers to see new possibilities for growth and development.

The people behind the transformation

What makes the Agrocenter successful is not only the services it provides, but the people behind them. Building a strong team was one of the initiative’s earliest challenges. “The biggest challenge was finding a qualified agronomist,” recalls Mrs. Aghababyan. That search led to Tigran Duryan. At a time when many young professionals were leaving rural communities in pursuit of opportunities elsewhere, Tigran made a different choice. Despite receiving a job offer in Yerevan, he decided to remain in Berd, bringing his expertise back to the community where it could make the greatest difference. Combining scientific knowledge with a deep understanding of local agricultural realities, Tigran quickly became a trusted adviser to farmers across the region.

Behind the Agrocenter’s progress is a dedicated and multidisciplinary team - led by Lusik Aghababyan - that brings together diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to support farmers and advance the organization’s mission.

Social workers Hasmik Palanduzyan and Heghine Gharabaghtsyan ensure that services remain inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of women and farming households. Agronomist Tigran Duryan bridges science and practice through hands-on agricultural expertise. Natella Tumanyan strengthens communication between the Agrocenter and the community, ensuring that information is clear, timely, and actionable. Meanwhile, Levon Navasardyan extends the reach of services to even the most remote villages, ensuring that no farmer is left behind.

Together, the team has become more than a service provider: it functions as a bridge, connecting knowledge with practice, innovation with tradition, and institutional support with everyday farming realities.

“We see clear changes in behaviour and mindset,” Lusik notes. One of the most promising areas of impact is youth engagement. In 2025 alone, more than 500 students participated in agricultural demonstrations and learning activities organized by the Agrocenter, gaining firsthand exposure to modern farming practices and innovations.

These initiatives go beyond awareness-raising. They are shaping future choices and expanding horizons.

Lusik believes changing perceptions is essential: “We want young people to see agriculture differently - as something modern, viable, and worth investing in.”

In a region where migration has long-shaped demographic and economic realities, this shift carries particular significance. It creates an alternative narrative where staying is not driven by necessity, but by opportunity, confidence, and choice.

The work of the Agrocenter continues to evolve. What began as a limited set of services has gradually expanded into a broader system of agricultural support, including crop treatment services and the introduction of diverse cultivation practices such as beans, corn, and tobacco. This gradual expansion reflects both growing community needs and the Agrocenter’s ability to adapt in response to them.

At the same time, the Agrocenter is investing in modern equipment and continuously strengthening its technical and organizational capacity to better serve farmers across the region.